Matt Mitrione, Ryan Bader Set as Early Favorites in Bellator Heavyweight Grand Prix

Matt Mitrione and Ryan Bader are the early betting favorites in Bellator MMA’s heavyweight grand prix, according to online odssmaker Bovada.com.

Mitrione, a competitor on Season 10 of “The Ultimate Fighter” and a 14-time UFC veteran, is 9/4 to win the bracket and capture the vacant heavyweight crown. The 39-year-old “Meathead” has kicked off his Bellator tenure with KO/TKO stoppages of Fedor Emelianenko, Oli Thompson and Carl Seumanutafa.

Bader, meanwhile, is listed at 14/5 to emerge from the bracket. The Power MMA Team standout claimed the light heavyweight strap in his promotional debut with a split decision over Phil Davis at Bellator 180 and defended the title with a second-round technical knockout of Linton Vassell at Bellator 186 on Nov. 3.

Mitirone will face Roy Nelson (6/1) in a quarterfinal matchup at Bellator 194 on Feb. 16 in Uncasville, Conn., while Bader will meet Muhammed Lawal (11/1) at as-yet-to-be-announced date and venue in May.

The first matchup of the tournament features the fighters given the lowest odds of winning. Chael Sonnen, at 14/1, and Quinton Jackson, at 16/1, will square off at Bellator 192 in Inglewood, Calif., on Jan. 20. Also noteworthy is that any alternate fighter has better odds of victory at 6/1 than Lawal, Sonnen or Jackson.

Odds to win Bellator Heavyweight Grand Prix
Matt Mitrione 9/4
Ryan Bader 14/5
Frank Mir 4/1
Fedor Emelianenko 6/1
Roy Nelson 6/1
Any Alternate Fighter 6/1
Muhammed Lawal 11/1
Chael Sonnen 14/1
Quinton Jackson 16/1

Quinton Jackson vs Chael Sonnen
Quinton Jackson -155 (20/31)
Chael Sonnen +125 (5/4)

Frank Mir vs Fedor Emelianenko
Frank Mir -190 (10/19)
Fedor Emelianenko +155 (31/20)

Matt Mitrione vs Roy Nelson
Matt Mitrione -175 (4/7))
Roy Nelson +145 (29/20)

Ryan Bader vs Muhammed Lawal
Ryan Bader -260 (5/13)
Muhammed Lawal +200 (2/1)